Ohio Assessments for Educators (OAE) Mathematics Practice Exam

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How is a secant defined?

  1. A line that touches the circle at one point

  2. A line segment with endpoints on the circle

  3. A line that intersects the circle at two points

  4. A line that is tangent to the circle

The correct answer is: A line that intersects the circle at two points

A secant is defined as a line that intersects a circle at two points. This means that it passes through the interior of the circle, creating two distinct points of intersection. This characteristic distinguishes a secant from a tangent, which only touches the circle at one point, and from other types of lines related to circles, such as a chord, which is a line segment with both endpoints on the circle. Understanding this definition is key for solving various geometric problems involving circles, allowing for clear differentiation between secants, chords, and tangents.